Selective signaling means.



J. MOPELL. SELECTIVE SIGNALING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1910. l ,024,5900 L COLUMNA PLANOGRAFH C0.,WASH|NGTDN. D, C.

J. MGPELL.

SBLBGTIVE SIGNALING MEANS.

APPLICATION IILBD JULY 27, 1910.

1,024,590.` i Patented Apr.30,1912.

3- SHEETS-SHEET 2.

45m as; l Q/W @om COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Cu..wAsmNaTnN, D. c.

J. MoFELL.

SBLEGTIVE SIGNALING MEANS.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 27, 1910.

1,024,590. Patented Apr.3o,1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

CGLUIII mul," O0., WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PLTENT OFFICE.

JUDSON MCFELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELEGTIVE SIGNALING- MEANS.

To all whom it may concern;

.lle it known that I, JUnsoN l\loFnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Selective Signaling Means, of which the following is a specitication.

My invention relates to improvements in selective signaling means, and particularly to those systems designed to enable any desired one ot' a plurality oftl stations upon a common line circuit selectively to be called by the transmission over the line ot' a number signal individual to said station.

Among the general objects sought to be attained are to provide a selector apparatus which will respond only to the predetermined number signal. for which it is structurally set to condition for operation the amnniciator which serves to attract the attention ot' the operator, and to provide for the automatic restoration otl the devices at the respective stations to normal condition upon completion of each call..

One of the more specific objects of my present .invention is to provide such a system wherein the signaling apparatus at each :all-receiving station contains only a single electro-magnet, and wherein all ot the controlling devices associated with said electroinagnet to cause the annunciator at the station to respond only to a predetermined code signal, are mechanical in operation.

Many other objects of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the within description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated an embodiment ot my invention, and wherein,

Figure l is a front elevation of suit-able selector appa atus, shown in connection with a wiring diagram suitable t'or embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of a fragment of the selector mechanism; Fig. 3 is an elevation of selector meclianisin with parts broken away; Fig. 4 is an isometric perspective showing the relation ot' such gearing parts; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same parts assembled. Fig. G is a section on line 6-6 of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 27, 1910.

rateutedapr. so, 1912.

Serial No. 574,157.

Fig. l, and Figs. 7 and 8 are wiring diagrams.

.My invention may advantageously be embodied in a single circuit system supplied by a single battery at some convenient point and having associated therewith the selective apparatus for any appropriate number of stations, and one or more signal transmitting devices, as desired. It is well known that in some installations,-as for example, in a signaling system 'for a train despatcher, whereby the despatcher may call. any station operator along the line,`it is deemed advisable to employ only one transmit-ting apparatus at the despatches otlice; whereas in other installations it is desired that the various stations along the line may intercomnmnicate with one another, and under such circumstances a transmitting apparatus at each station is necessary. The selector or call-responsive apparatus, hereinafter described, may be used in either arrangement.

The signal transmitting appliance, or appliances, may be of any desired character to permit or cause to be sent over the line impulses in groups constituting digits of a plural digit number signal, each group being followed by a dwell or pause, longer than the spaces between uninterruptedlysequent impulses. By impulse I mean an impulsive variation in line cmiditions` which may actnate an electro-responsive device, and by dwell I means any continuance of one phase of such changing line conditions longer than it endures in the transmission of an uninterrupted sequence ot impulses.

The selective apparatus, at each station, contains electro-responsive means in operative association with the line to respond to the impulse-groups transmitted thereover; also an annunciator of any suitable :torm to attract an operators attention, and, further, cent-rolling means cooperating with the annunciator and the electro-responsive device, arranged to condition the annunciator for operation only when the electro-responsive device receives a plural digit number signal for response to which said controlling apparatus is structurally set.

1n the particular embodiment of my invention shovvn, the selector device 10 comprises an electro-responsive part in the form of an electro-magnet 11, provided vvith a Weight-retracted armature 12, mounted on the short arm ot bell crank lever 13, pivoted betvveen a base plate 11 and a bracket 13', so that the armature may vibrate between the poles ot the magnet and a back stop 12. The long arm of the bell crank 13 rises vertically, and is intended for connection vvith mechanism to be described. Further, in the specitie construction shovvn, 15 indicates an anmmciator in the term oi a gong on the back ot trame 1-1, having a clapper 1o, pendent trom a crank 17, extending through the tramey 1-1 and carrying on the trontthereot an operating finger 1S.

The tree extremity ot the armature lever 13 has pivotally connected thereto an arm 20, having its free end Q1 bent to form a tinger for engagement vvith the iinger 1S of the gong clapper only vvhen raised to its operating` plane, said finger 21 normally standing belovv the operating plane. Thus whenever arm 2O is raised trom the normal position shovvn in Fig. 3 to its operating plane, every vibration ot the armature lever 13 in response to cnergization of the magnet 11 vvill cause the sounding of the gong, Whereas so long` as the arm remains depressed belovv this operating plane no operation ot the annunciator occurs. This arrangement of the gong to be operated by direct connection from the armature lever advantageous, but broadly the devices described include an annunciator and suitable, normally-disabled means tor operating it.

l'n the specific construction shovvn the arm Q0 has connected therevvith, to raise it, a link, 25, having near its upper extremity a slot 2G engaging a pin 2T upon the arm 20, the lovver extremity ot said link Q5 being pivotally connected as at 2S, to a lever member vvhich pivotally mounted on a shaft journaled in the frame 1st and a bracket 30. The lever 29 provides an arm Q9 on the opposite side of the pivot 30 from the link connection aforesaid, and said arm Q9 is Weighted, as at 31, and arranged to play betvveen stops 32C The action ot lever Q9 is such that as Weighted arm 29' descends from its highest position, shown in Fig. 3, to its lovvest position, the link connection Q5 vvill ele-vate the arm Q0 to its gong-operating plane just before tivo-thirds ot the dovvnivard movement ot said Weighted arm is completed, the last third of the movement ot the arm 29 further elevating` arm Q0 to attain another result to be describct` Broadly it vvill be seen, the Weighted lever Q9 is a motor part or means tor actuating the part 20. vvhich hasto be moved from normal position to establish connections through which the annunciator is occasioned functionally to operate.

Since the annunciator is intended to be conditioned tor operation only in response to a definite number signal consisting ot a plurality of digit groups oit impulses, movements ot the lever arm 20 from raised to lowered position is made subject to dual control, tirst by a nulabor-control step-up device operating in accordance vvith the iinpulses received by the electro-responsive magnet 11, to permit the lever Q9 to descend only upon receipt of predetermined numbers ot impulses, and second, by a timecontrol or retarding device, operated by an impulsively moved part, such as armature lever 13, to be responsive only to dvvells in the operation of said electro-resp uisive device to play its part in freeing the lever `tor descent, whereby the annunciator may be conditioned tor operation only by the occurrence ot' dvvells atter the critical digit groups of impulses.

The control ot both the step-up device and the timer over the part ultimately to be moved is effected through a secondary controller, vvhich in this specitic embodiment, takes the form ot a rotatable governor vvheel.

ln the specific construction shovvn l so connect the lever arm i0 to a governing Wheel, 15. that said vvheel .must rotate during the descent of the Weighted arm 25). Thus the lever 29 has an extension Q9 trom the vveighted arm Q9, carrying at its end a gear segment, 36, engaging a small pinion, 37, loosely mounted on a shaft, journaled in the trame 1aand the bracket arm The pinion 3T has connected thereto tor rotation an arm, Si), carrying a pavvl -l-t), colierating with a ratchet hub, 11, ot a large gear. 12, mounted upon the shatt. 15S. Thus it vvill be understood. as the sector Bti rises during the descent ot' the vveighted arm Q9 the pinion 37 is rotated in an anticlock-Wise direction and carries vvith it in rotation the gear vvheel, 42, by reason ot the ratchet and pavvl connections tO- i1 betvveen the pinion and gear, but upon the elevation of the. Weighted arm 29. and re turn movement of the sector, 3G, the clockvvise rotation of the pinion 37 produces no movement of the gear 4t2. the pavvl 40 merely slipping over the ratchet hub, L11.

The gear-Wheel, is connected to a pinion 13, fixed to a shaft 14, vvhich also carries the governing vvheel, said shaitt +L bearing` in the frame 1-1 and a bracket arm, s6, suitably secured thereto.

The gearing relation betvveen the governor Wheel 45 and the actuating` arm lever Q9 is such that during the full dovvnvvard movement ot the lever arm Q9 the vvheel 45 makes one complete revolution, and it ivill be obvious that when the Weighted arm 29 is elevated, or potentiated. for op eration, it may descend to eliect its functional operations only atsuch times as the Wheel 4:5 is treed from restraint.

In the specific construction shoivn it is through tivo successive movements of this governing Wheel or secondary controller and the parts cooperating therewith, that the selective device is made to respond only to a predetermined number; said governing device being under the control ot a step-up device arranged to .tree it only when in certain positions to which the step-up device is advanced by predetermined digit groups oi impulses, and also under the control of means tor restraining its operation except during dwells in the operations of the electi'(.:i'espo1isi\'e device.

ln the specific construction shown the step-up device comprises a ratchet Wheel, 50,

provided with a stop tooth 51, and a peripheral series otl teeth, 5l, acted upon by a live or active paul, I52carried by the armature lever' arm 13, and also acted upon by a holding pawl, The shaft 523/ for said pawl, and shaft for ratchet 50 are journaled .in the trame la and bracket arm attached thereto. The active paivl is arranged to engage the ratchet teeth 5l, during only approximately the latter half ot its forward stroke, and obviously, with each impulse transmitted through the magnet, ll, the pawl 52 advances the ratchet Wheel 50 one step and the Wheel is retained in advanced position by the holding paWl, The ratchet Wheel, 50, carries on its back an arcuate vrall, or rimssegment, (30, pro- `icctin laterally and having therein suitable notches, or openings, herein shown at Gl and ot, confronted by stop lugs, t, set slightly invvard from the rim in suitable position tor the operation to be described. The controlling Wheel, 45, bears three long projecting pins or stops, 63, (33, and G3, arranged in their movement With the rotation ci the wheel, to intersect the path et' iovement ot the rim, GO. It will, therefore, be apparent that the controlling Wheel will not be permitted to revolve as long as a solid portion ot the rim confronts any one of the pins, etc. However, it Will be apparent that as soon as a notch 6l or G1 in the rib comes into register ivith the pin confronting the rim` the pin may slip through the notch, but only to strike against the aping'opriate stop Gif, or G2', corresponding vv ith said notch. Vith the next advance step oi" the ratchet wheel, 50, however, the stop 62, or 62, is removed from engagement with such pin, so that the governing Wheel is lett 'tree te travel rotarily until the next succeed ing pin strikes the rim 60. Thus it Will be obvious that the step-up device permits rotative movement ot the governing Wheel at only certain predetermined points in its successive stepping movements corresponding with successive predetermined number digits, and the positions et notches @l and 6l on the ratchet Wheel structurally set the selector tor its response to a predetermined number-signal. rlhe entire length of the rib is such that its rear end does not interfere With any pin which has passed through a rim-notch, and obviously when the advance of the ratchet carries the rim entirely beyond the path of the pins 63, etc., the governing Wheel is treed from all restraint by the step-up device.

ln order that any Ytunctional movement of the governing wheel may take place only during divells in the transmission ot signaling impulses such as indicate the comple tion et successive impulses to constitute a digit group, l arrange the governing Wheel :tor control by the electro-r @pensive device in an arrangement such that as long as a continued or uninterrupted series et impulses is being transmitted to the electroresponsivc device, the governing Wheel l5 may never functionally operate.

In the specilic construction shoivn l provide upon the armature lever 13 a linger G5 having a laterally olli-set stop GG arranged to stand respectively in or out et the path of the movement of three short pins, YO, 70 and 70, carried by the governing Wheel 45, accordingly as the armature is attracted or retracted these pins TO, etc., being made short so as to have no cooperation ivhatever with the rim, 60, ot the ratchet Wheel. An additional pin, Tl, is provided on the wheel, arranged to coact vvith the stop G6 when the armature is in retracted position, but to bc treed by the stop when the armature is moved to attracted position.

Acting upon the armature lever 13, to delay its rearward movements, l provide a retard mechanism of simple and convenir-int term, that shown comprising a bell crank lever, 75, pivoted by means o an elongated slot, 7G, upon a pivot pin 7T, secured to the bracket 46, the short 'pendant arm ot the bell crank bearing a roller, (8, arranged to receive the armature lever, lf3, near the tree end thereof, and the long horizontal arm of the bell crank carrying at its end a ratchet are, 79, with which cooperates an escapement pavfl, SO, pivot-ed at Sl, to the trame, and suitably weighted, as at SQ.

In Fig. 3, the retard device is shoivn in the position Which it occupies when the lever 13 is in rearmost position; and it Will be seen that as the lcv Y1r 13 advances the bell crank lever 75 is treed from rearward pressure and may readily slip forward slightlyv on its pivot out of operative connection with the escapement pawl 80, so that the ratchet arc, 79, quickly descends to lowest position. Upon return movement of the lever l3,how ever, the rearward pressur'e upon the roller 7S, forces arc 79 into engagement with escapement pawl S0, and then as said arc is forced to rise the escapement retards its motion, so that the return of the armature lever through the last half of its movement is considerably retarded in point of time. The time moment thus to be considered should be proportie ied to the rate in which the signaling impulses are intended to be transmitted, the idea being that it shall take a period of time greater than that which will elapse between any two impulses of a continuous series of impulses to enable the armature lever to return to rearmost position from its forwardmost position. Thus, it will be seen that when once the armature lever is thrown forward by the commencement of a series of impulses, it never returns to rearward position so long as the impulse-series is uninterrupted, but it will return to rearwardmost position if an interruption occurs in the series of impulses, such as that which occurs after each digit group of a number signal.

rlie relative arrangement between the short pins TO, etc., and the long pins, G3, etc., is such that when pin T0 is conditioned for cooperation with the shiftable stop GG, long pin, G3, is positioned for contact, or almost-contact with the rim, G0, and similar relations prevail as to short pins, 70, 70 and longl pins, 63, 3, respectively. The additional pin, T1, is provided merely to determine the proper normal position of the governing wheel, if, and to assist in securing this proper initial position of the wheel, l provide a small gravity pawl, 85, to cooperate with a notch, S6, in the periphery of the wheel, to prevent backward rotation of the governing wheel from normal position.

New, it will be apparent that in order for the controlling mechanism of the annunciator to be conditioned for operation, there must occur a dwell in the signaling impulse series, at the two points where the step-up device can free the annunciator-controlling mechanism for operation.

Specifically to describe the sequence of actions which conditions the annunciator for operation, itl is assumed that the selective apparatus is set for the number sul; and that the parts stand in the position shown in Fig. 3. lf now, four impulses are successively sent through the magnet 11, and then a dwell is caused to occur followed by four impulses and another dwell, so to designate station it, and then an arbitrary succession of impulses is transmitted before a long, final dwell, or cessation of the impulses, the following operations transpire: vWith the first impulse attracting the armature 12, of the magnet 11, the lever 13 moves forward to its forwardmost position and the retard-ratchet-arc, 79, drops to lowest position. The forward movement of the armature lever 13 advances the ratchet wheel, 50, one step, and, moving the stop finger, GG, out of the path of pin, 71, on the governor wheel, 45, permits the governor wheel to move in the direction indicated by the arrow (Fig. 3,) the practically negligible distance suflicient to bring the first short pin, 70, into contact with the under surface of the stop 6G, and the first long pin, 63, into practical contact with the outer surface of rim GO of the ratchet wheel 50. As the magnet is deenergized upon the completion of the impulse, the armature 12 starts to dro-p, retracting the armature lever 13, but the return movement of the armature lever is retarded by the escapement mechanism 79--S0, as heretofore described, so that the stop member 6G can not move rearwardly out of the path of the pin 'TO before the second impulse occurs, throwing the armature lever 13 forward a second time and advancing the ratchet 50 a second step. Similarly the third and fourth impulses occur and advance the ratchet 50 correspondingly, thereby bringing the rst notch G1 into register with the first long pin (S3 of the governor wheel 45. After said fourth impulse terminating the digit group indicative. of number 4e there occurs a dwell, or interruption of the signaling impulses. During this dwell the weight of armature 12 forces rearwardly the lever-arm 13, which has time, during the dwell, to overconie the resistance of its retard cscapement and returns to rearwardmost position. Such return of the armature lever 13 withdraws the shiftable stop, (3G, from ezigagement with thc first short pin 70, and so in virtue of the coincidence of a dwell in the signal transmission and a prescribed position of the step-up device, the long pin, G3, is freed to slip through the registering apertuie G1, in the rim of the ratchet 50 to strike the stop pin 62. The purpose of this stop pin is, obviously, to prevent the complete rota tion of the wheel 45 before the signaling operation is resumed.

Following the dwell, four successive impulses occur, and with the first impulse which moves the ratchet 50 forward a step. the pin G3 is freed from the stop G2 and the governor wheel completes the first third of its revolution, rotating until the second short pin TO encounters the vibrating stop GG, and the second long pin 63 is brought into substantial contact with the rim 60, of the step-up wheel 50. Thus the weighted lever arm Q9 drops one-third of its excursion, and arm 20 is lifted somewhat, but not enough to reach its operative plane.

Of course during these four successive impulses, no further release of the governorl wheel occurs, as the stop (5G and rim G0 both restrain the wheel 45, but when the fourth impulse of the second group has occurred the second notch G1 registers with the pin (53', the dwell occurs, and armature-lever 12 is fully retracted again, so that said second pin 63 slips through its notch G1 in the ratchet wheel rim, and, with the irst impulse of the arbitrary series of impulses following said second dwell, the governing wheel completes the second-third of its complete rotation. This two-thirds rotation of ggvernor wheel 45 enables the weighted lever to descend through twothirds of its course and thereby raises the connecting arm 2O into the plane in which it cooperates with the linger 1S ot the gong clapper. Consequently, during the transmission o't the arbitrary series of impulses following the two digitgroups of impulses constituting number 44, each vibration of lever 13 causes arm Q0 to operate on linger 18, thereby to sound the gong. A s long as this uninterrupted series of arbitrary impulses continues, no further movement of the governing wheel 45 takes place, but the ratchet wheel is advanced as far as its teeth will cause it to proceed, thereby completely removing the rim G0 from coperation-relation with the long pin 63 ot governor wheel 45. Consequently when the arbitrary series of impulses ceases, and the iinal dwell occurs, the armature lever falls clear back, overcoming the resistance of its retard mechanism, thereby removing stop 6G `trom engagement with short pin 70, and freeing the governor wheel for the last third of its rotation to bring the positioning pin 71 ao'ain into contact with the under side of the stop G6, rebound from such position beiug prevented by the re'engagement of pawl 85 in its notch S6 ot wheel 45. Vhile thus the transmission of the number 44 conditions the annunciator for operation, it will be seen that any other number could not produce such results upon the particular selector at Istation forty four. Thus it will be obvious that in the transmission of the signal the uninterrupted group of live impulses will move notch 61 past the pin G3 while the governor wheel is continuously held under restraint by the vibrating stop '36, and so when the dwell occurred after the live impulses, and vibrating stop (3G moves out of engagement with the pin 70, rim G0 on the ratchet wheel 50 holds the pin 63 and prevents the governor wheel from moving, and correspondingly, lack of simultaneity in the occurrence of the second dwell and registering of pin 63 with notch 61 prevents the governor wheel from being treed by the transmission of the second numeral live. It will be obvious, however, that when the arbitrary series of impulses has been completed and the, rim entirely removed from the path or" the pin 63, etc., the cessation of Vibration of armature lever 13 and its return to rearwardmost position frees the wheel 45 for a continuous complete rotation back to original or normal position. Furthermore it will be obvious that if the number transmitted were say 45, which would produce the first release of the governor wheel 45 for the first-third ot its rotation but not the second portion, the annunciator would not be conditioned for operation, for in no case, save where the dwell coincides with both critical positions of the step-up device, is the governor wheel freed for two-thirds rotation until after the line impulses have ceased. Thus, whilethe completion of the revolution of all the governor wheels 45 at the several stations, incident to every signal transmitted brings the arm Q0 momentarily into its operating` plane, such action occurs after all possibility of operating the annunciator is past. In short, the parts moved impulsively by magnet 11, actuate both a number control and a timer, which jointly act upon a secondary control or governor wheel, and the latter in turn affects the ac tuating mechanism for the annunciator, to condition the annunciator for operation only when the governor wheel has made a plurality of step-by-step nioven'ients.

To make the'mechanism self-restoring to normal position after operation, I make provision as follows: Upon the ratchet wheel 50 I provide an unbalanced weight 90 tending constantly to return the wheel to such position that stop tooth 51 strikes holding pawl 53, and upon the lever 2O I provide a latch pin, 91, for cooperation with a nose 92 of a pivoted gravity dog 92, when, and only when, the lever is elevated more than two-thirds ot its total play, and I provide upon the wheel 50 a releasing lug, 94, arranged to strike the tail 93 of said gravity dog 92 just before the ratchet wheel 50 reaches its normal or original position. The holding pawl I provide with a inger, 95, overlying the connecting lever Q0, so that when said lever is elevated to the position for engagement with the nose 92', it lifts the holding pawl 53 out ot engagement with the teeth 51 of the ratchet. Likewise l provide upon the ratchet wheel 50 a catch pin, 96, arranged when the ratchet is fully ad vanced and lever 29 is fully depressed, to engage the notch 97 in a link 97, )ivoted at one end to said lever 29, and tending by gravity to tall into engagement with said pin 9G on the wheel. A roller 98 is provided on the base, 14, to receive the free end of the link 97, as it is being carried upward by pin 9G, during the return movement of the ratchet wheel, to force said link out of engagement with the pin 9G. The operation of these restoring devices will be as follows: Assuming the step-up wheel 50 to have been advanced to its maximum extent, and the gzl-vernor wheel l5 to have been freed to complete the last third of its rotation, or such final portion of its single rotation as has not previously been completed, obviously, the weighted arm 29 in traveling down to its limitation stop 32 elevates arm Q0 to its highest position where the pin 91 is engaged by the nose 92 of pawl 92, while the holding pawl 53 of the ratchet 50 is lifted out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. Under these conditions the ratchet wheel 50 is free to revolve backward to normal position under the influence of its unbalanced weight 00. Remembering that the descent of the weighted arm 29 serves to free the link 9T from engagement with roller 9S so that the notch 9T engages with notch pin 9G, it will be apparent that return move ment of the ratchet wheel will serve to elevate the Weighted lever-arm 29@ the movement of which in an upward direction is substantially unimpeded on account of the ratchet and pawl connection between pinion 87 and gear 4Q, and on account of the slotand-pin connection QG-QT between the link 25 and the arm Q0. Vhen the weighted arm Q9 is lifted so far that pawl 40 takes a new hold on the ratchet 41, the contact of link 9T with roller 0S throws the link off ofl pin 96, leaving the weighted arm in potentiated position. lllhen the ratchet wheel 50 has almost reached its normal position, stud 91 strikes the tail 93 of dog 92, causing it to relaese the arm Q0, which drops to lowest position and frees the holding pawl 53 to return to operative relation to the step-up wheel 50.

lt will be clear that at all stations in one line the primary controller or step-up ratchet wheel makes its full cycle of operations, and the secondary controller or governor wheel and the motor weight, likewise sweep through their full cycle, for every signal transmitted, so that it is positively insured that all selectors remain in step at all times.

ltwill be observed that the apparatus described includes only a single ratchet wheel or step-up device as part of its means for response to a predetermined plural-digit number, involves only a single electrical coil for connection with the line circuit; involves no electrical contacts of any kind; is simple and durable in construction; is fully automatic in its operation; and may be constructed, as herein described, without use of any springs.

The ratchet wheel and its pawl are of simple construction and the entire device may be made of relatively rugged, heroic construction, not susceptible to easy derangement.

In its broader aspects, however, my invention is not limited to purely mechanical governing devices, and in my co-pending application, Serial No. 574,158 filed July 27, 1910, I show a structure embodying the broad idea of this invention, wherein the controlling devices involve electric contacts. Further in the aspect that the present mechanism provides as a primary controller for the annunciator the step-up wheel, and as a secondary controller the governor wheel, each of whose plural movements to conditicn the annunciator for operation is controlled by the step-up device, this invention is related to my pending application, Serial No. 556,403, tiled April 15th, 1910, wherein such arrangement is broadly claimed.

Such an' apparatus as I have described may be connected in circuit in different ways, of which I have herein shown two, for the purpose of showing the adaptability of the selector and of indicating that my device is not restricted in some of its aspects to the particular character of the connection.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 7 the selectors 10 at the several stations are connected in parallel to line wires 101-102, supplied with current from a single source of supply 103, and normally open at a signaling switch 10st, which constitutes part of the transmitter apparatus generally indicated at 105. This transmitter includes a signal wheel 10G normally holding the switch 10i open, and provided with peripheral notches, which in passing the long pen of the switch permits it to close, said signal wheel being arranged to be driven by a suitable clock work motor, or the like, in order that it may operate with regularity. Spacers, 107 and 107, are provided for closing any suitable notches in the periphery of the wheel and are adjustable to any desired position by means of handles 10S and 108' respectively. The wheel makes one complete rotation each time a signal is transmitted, thereby sending a two-digit code number with each digit thereof followed by a dwell, and said number followed by an arbitrary series of impulses preceding the final opening of the circuit.

The transmitter is only diagrannnatically shown, but a specific construction suitable for use with my selector is described in my copending application, Serial No. :350,0-1, tiled April 15, 1910.

It will be observed that in the open circuit wiring shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the electromagnet 11 at each station is normally deenergized, so that the selector appliances at all stations stand in the position shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. S I have shown a closed circuit arrangement in which the electro responsive devices of the selectors are all connected in series in the wire 101', and each station is provided with a transmitter 1.05', coperating with a normally closed switch 104e. This particular arrangement is one of those which may be employed where intercommunication between the stations is desired, and the selector apparatus may be used in unchanged. construction with such wiring.

The only change made in the transmitter is that a notch is provided in the wheel normally to receive the long pen of switch 104C so that after a long terminal dwell following the arbitrary impulses, the circuit is linally closed. This occasions a slight variation in the operation of the selector, namely, that the normal position of the armature is attracted, the normal position ot governor wheel. 45 is with pin 71 above instead of below stop 6G, and the normal position et the ratchet wheel is one step advanced from Zero, so that a selector which would respond to signal 44 in an open circuit connection is set for signal 34 on a closed circuit connection. Obviously, too, the coils of the magnet 11 must be wound appropriately tor series or parallel connection, according to known usage.

That l claim is.

1. Selective signaling means comprising, in combination, an impulse receiver; mechanism impulsively movable thereby including a step-up device; a movable motor part operatively associated with said step-up device to be restrained thereby except at predetermined number-indicating release-positions of the step-up device, positive restraining means for said motor part arranged to be actuated by 'the impulse-receiver to release the said motor part, and retarding means operatively associated with said restraining means to retard its releasing movement.

Q'. Selective signaling means comprising, in combiiiation, an impulse-receiver, a vibratable lever moved thereby, a step-up device actuated by the vibratable lever, a movable motor part, means tor positively restraining movement ot the motor part, movable with the step-up device, and arranged to release the motor part at predetermined number-indicating positions; other positive restraining means for said motor part movable by the vibratable lever to release the motor part; and a retard device arranged to retard the releasing movement of the last said restraining means.

Selective signaling means comprising in combination a magnet; an armature lever thereto y; a step-up device actuated by said armature lever, said lever having a movement in excess of that necessary to operate the step-up device; retard mechanism arranged to delay the excess movement of the armature lever; a movable motor part; an annunciator mechanism controlled by said motor part; positive restraining means tor the motor part, movable with the step-up device, and arranged to release the motor part at predetermined positions; and other positive restraining means for the motor part associated with the armature lever for movement thereby to releasing position only when said lever effects its excess movement against the action ot the retard mechanism.

t. Selective signaling means comprising in combination a part to be moved; motor means to move it; a rotatable controller governing the operation of said motor means; a step-up device coacting with said controller, arranged to restrain or release the controller according to the position of the step-up device; mechanical retarding means for said controller part; and an impulse-receiver arranged to actuate both the step-up device and the retarding means.

5. Selective signaling means comprising in combination a part to be moved; motor means to move it; a rotatable controller governing the operation oit said motor means and providing a plurality of stops; a stepup device providing a movable wall having therein a plurality et openings, arranged to restrain or release said controller according to the relation of the wall-openings to the controller stops; other positive restraining means for said controller; a. retard device arranged to delay the releasing operation of the last said restraining means; and an impulsive'receiver arranged to actuate both the step-up deviceand the other said restraining means.

6. Selective signaling means comprising in combination a part to be moved; motor means to move it; a rotatable controller governing the operation of said motor means and providing a plurality ot stops; a step-up device providing a wall having therein a plurality of openings, and arranged to restrain or release the said controller according to the relation of the wall openings to the controller stops; operating means for said step-up device; and means arranged to restore said motor part and said step-up device to their initial positions automatically upon predetermined rotation of said controller, said means being governed by said controller.

7. Selective signaling means comprising in combination a part to be moved; motor means to move it; a unidirectionally rotatable controller governing the operation otl said motor means; a step-up device governing the rotation of said controller; restraining means arranged to restrain or release said controller; a retard device governing said restraining means; an impulse receiver arranged to actuate the step-up device and the retarded restraining means; and means arranged to restore said motor part and said step-up device to initial position automatically upon predetermined rotation of said controller, said means being governed by said controller.

S. Selective signaling means comprising in combination an annunciator having a vibratable part; an impulse receiver; normally-disabled operating connections between said impulse receiver and said vibratable annunciator part; and means to make ei'liective said connections comprising a motor part, a step-up device, and a retard device, both the step-up and retard devices governing the motor part, and .both actuated by the impulse receiver.

9. The combination ot having a movable part, an electro-magnet having an armature, normally disabled means for connecting the armature with said annunciator part to be moved, and controlling` means for said connecting means comprising a step-up device, and timed means both operativelyv connected with the armature to permit operation of the connecting means only in response to dwells in the operation ot the magnet following predetermined advances of the step-up mechanism.

l0. rThe combination ot an electro responsive device having a movable element, a step-up device mechanically operable thereby, retarded mechanism associated ivith said movable part of the electro-responsive device and controlled thereby, a mechanicallv actuated governing mechanism, controlled both by said step-up device and said retarded mechanism, and a part to be moved controlled by said controlling mechanism.

ll. The combination ,vith an electro-responsive device, a step-up means tor actuation thereby, a part to be arranged tor operation, means; including a member movable through a plurality of steps, to arrange said part `tor operation, each movement ot said member being controlled by the stepup device, and timed means operated b5' thc electro-responsive device arranged to positive v prevent or treelv permit the step,Q ot said governor member, ivhereby a plurality ot coincidences of predetermined positions of the step-up device and time intervals in the operation of the electro-responsive device are requisiteA to condition said movable part `tor operation.

l2. The coi'nbination of an electro-responsive device; a step-up device actuated thereby; a gear train;means to actuate it througt a plurality of steps; a part to be moved,

an annunciator movable by said train; means restrainingr the gear train operable by the step-up device to liberate the train at certain position ot said step-up device; and other mean restraining` the gear train controlled by the electro-responsive device and movable to release the train; and a retarding device arranged to delay the releasing movement otl the last said restraining means, ivhereby each release ot the gear train is ett'ected only b v coincidence of predetermined positions of the step-up and dwells in the operation ot the electro-responsive device.

13. The combination of an electromagne. having an armature-lever; a part to be moved; a motor part; a rotatable governor geared to said motor part; a step-up device actuated by the armature lever, arranged to restrain said governor against movemen ivhen in certain positions, and to release it vvhen in others; other restraining mean: for said motor part controlled by the armature lever, arranged to release the motor part when in certain positions; and meam to retard movement of said last named rcstraining means toivard the releasing position.

le. The combination of an electroni-agire?, having an armature lever; a part to be moved; a motor weight, a governor Wheel geared thereto and rotatable thereby in on direction only, a step-np Wheel actuated by the armature lever and having surfaces te restrain the governor Wheel and openingfI to permit rotation thereof, a restrainingl device 'for the governor ivhecl viln'atable i harmony With the armature lever and rev leasing the governor Wheel upon movement of the armature lever in excess of its stepup-actnating movement; and a retard dcvice arranged to apply at each excessive movement of the armature lever.

l5. The combination of an electro-magnet having a vibrating armature, a step-up device for actuation thereby, arr: nged 'for self-restoration to normal position a'lter predetermined advance, a part to be moved, actuating means therefor, operatively connected to the step-up device to be moved to potential position during the return of the step-up device to normal position, a governor ivheel connected to said actuating means for rotation by movement of said actuating means from normal position, means operated b v the step-up device controlling the movement orn said governor Wheel arranged to permit a partial cycle of movement ot the governor wheel at each of a plurality ot positions ot the step-up device, and to permitI a complete cycle of operations of said governor ivheel at'ter a predetermined turther advance of the step-up device.

1C. The combination of an electro-responsive device, a step-np device arranged for actuation thereby, means for effecting res toration of the step-up device to normal position after predetermined advance there of, a part to be moved, actuating meansy therefor, a governor wheel controlling th operation of said actuating means, and means carried by the step-up device con trolling the movements of the governor wheel arranged to permit a partial cycle of movement of the governor at each of z plurality of positions of the step-up de vice, and a complete cycle of operations of the governor Wheel after predetermined further advance of the step-up device.

17. Selective signaling means comprising in combination an electro-responsive device; a step-up device actuated thereby in one direction; a rotatable controller arranged for cyclic movement from and to normal position, said controller being governed by the step-up device and arranged for step-bystep movement at certain advances of the step-up device and for complete cyclic movement at a further advance thereof; a Working part governed by the controller and operatively responsive to partial movement of the controller; and means to re store the step-up device to normal position operatively responsive to complete cyclic movement of the governor.

18. Selective signaling means comprising, in combination, an electro-responsive dcvice; a step-up device actuated thereby in one direction; a movable motor part; a rotatable controller actuated thereby arranged for cyclic movement from and to a normal position, governed by the step-up device, and permitted to ett'ect step-by-step movements at certain advances of the step-up device and complete cyclic movement at a further advance thereof; a Working part governed by the controller and operatively responsive to partial cyclic movement thereof; and means to restore the step-up device to normal position and to move the motor part to potential position, operatively responsive to complete cyclic movement of the governor.

19. Selective signaling means comprising, in combination, an electro-responsive device; a step-up device actuated thereby in one direction; a retard device; a movable motor part; a rotatable controller actuated thereby arranged for cyclic movement from and to a normal position, governed by the step-up device and the retard device, and permitted to effect step-by-step movements at certain advances of the step-up device and complete cyclic movement at a further advance thereof; a Working part governed by the controller and operatively responsive to partial cyclic movement thereof; and means to restore the step-up device to normal position and to move the motor part to potential position, operatively responsive to complete cyclic movement of t-he governor.

20. The combination with an electro-magnet having an armature, a step-up device arranged for actuation thereby, a part to be moved, governing means therefor including a rotatable wheel, restrained or released by the step-up device according to its position, other means for restraining the governor Wheel movable to releasing position by the armature, and means for retarding said releasing movement.

21. The combination with an electro-magnet having an armature, a movable part to be controlled by the act-ion of said armature, means for restraining said movable part, movable to releasing position by the armature, and means for retarding such movement.

22. The combination with an electro-magnet having an armature, a movable part to be controlled by the action of said armature, means for restraining said movable part, movable to releasing position by the armature, and means for retarding said movement comprising an escapement.

23. The combination With an electro-magnet having an armature, a movable part to be controlled by the action of said armature, means for restraining said movable part, movable to releasing position by the armature and means for retarding such movement comprising an escapement having a toothed member and a pawl relatively shiftable to mutually engage for retarding the releasing movement and to disengage for quick return upon the opposite movement.

24. Selective signaling means comprising in combination, a magnet and armature, a step-up wheel advanced thereby, means to restore the Wheel, a part to be moved, a movable mot-or part therefor, controlling means for the motor part governed by the step-up Wheel, holding means for the stepup Wheel released by predetermined movement of the motor part, and operative connections between the step-up Wheel and motor part whereby restoration of the step-up Wheel, moves the motor part to potential position.

25. Selective signaling means comprising, in combination, a magnet and armature, a step-up Wheel advanced thereby, means t0 restore the Wheel, a part to be moveda movable motor part therefor, a retard device, controlling means for the motor part governed by the step-up device and retard device, released by predetermined advance of the step-up device, coincident with the operation of the retard device, and returned to normal position by full movement of the motor part, holding means for the step-up Wheel controlled by the motor part and released by full movement thereof, and 0perat-ive connections between the step-up Wheel and motor part, whereby restoration of the step-up Wheel moves the motor part to potential position.

26. The. combination of an electro-responsive device having a vibra-table part moved in one direction by magnetic action and restored by mechanical means, a step-up device actuated by the vibratable part, a movable motor part operatively associated Wit-h the step-up device to be positively restrained thereby except at predetermined release positions, other positive restraining means for the motor part arranged to be actuated by restoration movement ol' the vibratable part of the electro-responsive device to release t-he motor part, and a retard mechanism opposing the restoration movement o't' the said vibratable part.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

MARY F. ALLEN, IV. LINN ALLEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

